Spring Harvest Maple Farm has delicious start to season

Spring Harvest maple Farm was recognized Sunday for winning first place in best maple syrup in NH. The recognition coincided with Maple Weekend, and owners say the turnout was much better than in previous years.

BARRINGTON — According to Josh Bouchard, co-owner of Spring Harvest Maple Farm, each year since the sugar house opened, business has been getting better and better.

The sugar house at Spring Harvest Maple Farm, located on Route 9 across from the public safety building, opened in 2009. In January, N.H. Maple Producers Association awarded the farm first-place recognition for best maple syrup in the state in 2012.

On Sunday, Joel Sherburne, chairman of the Barrington Do-Gooders Committee, honored co-owners Josh and Lisa Bouchard for the first-place recognition. He said he's proud that some of the best maple syrup in the state is made right here in Barrington.

Josh Bouchard said the secret to making great maple syrup is being particular about the process, and keeping equipment clean. Also, he said Spring Harvest Maple Farm processes maple sap into syrup the same day as the sap comes in from the trees.

“Every time we boil syrup we try to make the best product we can,” said Josh Bouchard.

Lisa Bouchard added, “The trees of Barrington are exceptional.”

Sunday's recognition of the Bouchards' first-place award coincided with New Hampshire Maple Weekend, in which more than 100 sugar houses statewide were opening their doors and offering samples, demonstrations, and special activities at their places of business.According to Josh Bouchard, Maple Weekend at Spring Harvest Maple Farm was a success. While the farm has seen 600 to 700 visitors come during Maple Weekend in previous years, more than 1,000 visitors had already stepped foot on the farm by Sunday afternoon.Throughout the weekend, Spring Harvest Maple Farm has been offering samples of syrup, as well as products such as maple cream, maple taffy, maple popcorn, and maple lollipops.

On Saturday, the farm also offered maple sugaring demonstrations.

The Bouchards were also offering a free raffle over the weekend, with a chance to win a basket with goodies such as maple candy canes, taffy, and maple cream.

Spring Harvest Maple Farm is located at 761 Franklin Pierce Highway in Barrington.